kept cut off as soon as they begin to fade; pansies and 

 sweet peas are two of the most striking examples. You 

 should have a regular time every day, or at the least 

 every other day, to go over the flower bed with your 

 small pruning shears and snip off all blooms which are 

 beginning to be passe. 



In many cases a second crop of flowers can be had by 

 a thorough pruning or cutting back, after the first crop 

 is over. Removing half or even two-thirds of the top 

 will induce a new growth to break out at the bottom from 

 the remaining "stubs," which will grow rapidly and 

 flower freely. Try this with your sweet peas and other 

 annuals which seem to be "going by." If the soil is 

 dry at the time, a thorough watering should be given, 

 and another as soon as the new growth starts. 



It is often desirable to keep plants at a certain height, 

 or to make them conform more or less to a form shape, 

 especially where they are used in hedges, lining out, etc. 

 Most of the perennials and annuals will stand being cut 

 to shape to whatever form may be wanted; but do not 

 let them get full growth, and then cut them back. Begin 

 your trimming early, to make them bushy and to give 

 them a "good face," and let them gradually develop 

 to the size wanted. 



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